Operating means for curtain drops



v. H. VOLLAND OPERATING MEANS FOR CURTAIN DROPS Feb. 18 1930.

Filed Aug. 23 1926 Mme-wrap 1/. 19'. V04 LA ND m m m r A j; atented Feb. 18, 1930 UNITEDSTATES PATENT 1 OFFICE vICToIi HLvCILAND, or CLAYTON, MIss URI, ASSIGNORTO VOLLANID SCENIC sTUnIos,

' i INC., on sT. LoUIs,-1vIIssoUnI, A CORPORATION or MISSOURI OPERATING MEANS FOR CURTAIN DROPS Application filed August 22, 1926. Serial No. 131,092.

My-invention relates'to improvements in 7 means for operating curtain drops, in which each curtain drop together with the hoisting mechanism and other accessories are comblned into a single unit. The object of this invention is to effect such a combination pro- 7 viding a curtain drop of greater ease of op eration and installation.

I accomplish these 'results by the device hereindescribed and illustrated. I

Fig. I is a front elevation of a curtain drop constructed in accordance with my invention. V I Fig. II is a fragmentary front elevation of the hoistmechanism, showing'the lock and signal light arrangement. ig. III is a side elevation of the same.

.Fig. IV is a plan view of the same.

1 designates a variable counterweight movably engaging a vertical track 2. Ropes 3 are secured to said counterweight at one end, and at the other end to a curtain 4, said ropes first passing up over a battery of sheaves 5 and down over sheaves 6. A rope 7 secured tothe upperand lower part of the counterweight ,1, as shown, passes over a sheave in the battery of sheaves 5 and around a sheave 8, said sheave being carried in a movable bipartite weight 9, said weight keeping the rope 7 at all times taut. 10 designates rods preferably four in number, on which the bipartite weight9 moves- Secured to a flat top-member 11 (Fig. II)

is a locking mechanism 12. Fingers 13, pivotally secured, as shown, Within the frame 14, shown in section, rigidly clamp the rope 7 when in a locked position. A screw bolt "15, screwed through an aperture in the frame 14, bears against the fingers 13 from one side, while'a, Cam lever 16, secured to the opposite side ofthe frame, bears against said fingers 13 from the other side, to effect said clamping. 17 designates a metal loop girdling the rope 7 and the lever 16, to hold'said lever in a locked position when desired.

, tain curtain is wanted Mounted in the guard box 18 is an incandescent lamp 19 provided with a switch 20, said guard box being secured to a forwardly projecting end of the top member 11.

At a particulartime during a theatrical performance the lamp 19 may be caused to light, indicating to an attendant that a cerand by opening the lock 12and pulling the rop 7, the curtain is raised or lowered as desired. Prior to this invention such devices were without individual locking devices and signal lamps. A makeshift rack carrying a plurality of looking devices extended along the battery of curtain drops, which necessitated costlier installation and less satisfactory service. At such time also the overhead lights used at the side of the stage considerably interfered with stage lighting effects. It is readily apparent how individual lights remove this difficulty, and also provide a ready means of insuring prompt and reliable action.

I claim:

1. An improved appliance for operating curtain drops comprising, in combination, a h vertically movable counter-balance weight, connections extending between the weight and acurtain drop adapted to be operated thereby, an anchor rope extending from the counter-balance weight, means including a pair of pivoted fingers between which the anchor rope passes for rigidly securing the anchor rope, and means interposed between the securing means and the counter-balance weight for maintaining the anchor rope in o a taut condition. c

2. An improved appliance for operating curtain drops comprising, in combination, a vertically movable counter-balance weight, connections extending between the weight and'a curtain drop adapted to be operated thereby, an anchor rope having one of its extremities secured to the upper portion of the counter-balance weight and its opposite extremity secured to the lower portion of 2 j V 11,747,916 ,o

the counterbalance Weight, means for rigidlyfsecuring the anchor rope, said means including a pair of pivoted fingers between which the anchor rope passes, and means'for controlling movement ofsaid fingers, and a Weight associated Withthe anchor rope and adapted. to maintain the rope in a taut con- I dition. I i 1 In testimony that I claim the foregoing I hereunto afiix my signature.

- I VICTOR H. VOLLAND. 

